How to Make a Fake Fireplace Out of Cardboard
Fireplaces provide atmosphere to any room. It's not always possible, however, to have a real fireplace, especially if you live in an apartment or your home doesn't allow for a chimney. You don't need to deprive yourself. Make a fake fireplace out of cardboard that is almost as good as the real thing. You will have an attractive focal point for your room composed of materials you can find around the house or a packing supply store.
Things You'll Need
- 4 square boxes 18 inches wide
- 36-by-48-inch corrugated pad
- 2 rectangular boxes 8-by-20-by-30 inches
- Packing tape
- Newspaper
- Red, brown, cream, black and white acrylic paint
- Paper plates
- Sponge
- Paintbrush
- Yardstick
- Rag
- Gray paper
- Fake logs
- Andirons
Instructions
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1
Assemble the sides of the fireplace. Tape the flaps closed and stack two boxes. Line up all of the corners and tape the boxes together. Repeat the process with the other two square boxes.
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2
Turn the large corrugated pad so it stands 36 inches tall. Rest it against the back of the taped square boxes. Line up the pad so the edges hit the middle of the boxes and tape it in place to form the back of the fireplace.
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3
Put newspaper on the floor to protect it from dripping paint.
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4
Mix brown, cream and red acrylic paint on a paper plate. Dip a sponge in the paint and dab it on the cardboard boxes forming the sides and back of the fireplace to give it a mottled appearance. Add more paint to cover the cardboard completely if necessary.
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5
Pour white acrylic paint onto a paper plate. Paint lines on the cardboard boxes to create the mortar used for bricks. Use a yardstick to help keep the lines straight. Repeat the process on all of the cardboard boxes and the inside back of the fireplace. Allow the paint to dry before continuing.
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6
Tape the flaps of the two long boxes closed, and tape the two boxes together end to end. This will be the fireplace mantel.
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7
Pour white and black acrylic paint onto a paper plate and mix it. Dip a rag into the paint and dab it onto the long boxes to make it appear like marble or granite. Add more paint as needed, and allow the paint to dry.
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8
Rest the long, taped boxes on top of the sides of the fireplace, lining the boxes up so they're centered. Secure the mantel with tape on the back of the boxes.
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9
Put the gray paper on the floor inside the fireplace. For added ambience, add a set of andirons and fake logs.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not use the sculpture as a real fireplace because it is made from flammable material.
